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Respect: the key to successful grassroots advocacy

May 09, 2012

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Critical issues affecting today's physicians are being decided in the legislative arena at a fast and furious pace. Health care reform, medical liability and insurance regulations are just a few of the vital issues being debated and voted on by decision-makers in Sacramento.

Grassroots actions are critical, and physicians’ voices are important to ensure that the decisions are being made in the best interest of physicians and their patients. That was the central message of the "Health Care Advocacy in the Political Arena" breakout session during the California Medical Association's (CMA) recent California Health Care Leadership Academy. The session was presented by CMA CEO Dustin Corcoran; Assemblyman Richard Pan, M.D.; and past CMA president Robert Hertzka, M.D., also president of San Diegans for Health Care Coverage.

Any discussion with legislators might seem daunting, Corcoran said. However, he added, “politics is really a collection of people, but medicine is unique. Talk in patient-centered terms.” And, as a physician, he suggested focusing on medical issues without partisan rhetoric. “Medicine is bipartisan,” he said. “Don’t try to be a Republican. Don’t try to be a Democrat. Be a doctor.”

The key to successful legislative advocacy, Dr. Hertzka explained, is respect. “Respect the legislators and their staff. Respect your adversaries. Respect the truth,” he said. Dr. Hertzka noted the importance of being able to respect a wide range of philosophical opinions.

Dr. Hertzka also emphasized that physicians should resist the urge to label adversaries “evil” or “stupid.” In most cases, he said, our opponents do believe what they are saying – with many MICRA opponents serving as the prime example.

Finally, Dr. Hertzka said, all grassroots advocates must respect the truth. Avoid making up statistics, or making guesses when you don’t know. It’s all right to say, “I don’t know, but I can find out” – and then follow up with the legislator or staff.

At the same time, Dr. Pan added, don’t ever pass up the chance to talk to legislative staffers as well, because they’re the ones who really have time to delve deep into issues.

While legislative advocacy can be hard work, all three agree it’s critical for physicians to use their voices. “No one can ever question your own person story,” Dr. Pan said. “It’s powerful.”

For more information about getting involved in CMA's grassroots advocacy efforts, see “CMA's Physicians Guide to Influencing Health Policy," available here.